Events

Southern
Region

Stewart
Island – Whalers Base talk

NZHPT
Regional Archaeologist, Dr Matt Schmidt is giving a
public talk on ‘Project Nord’, the history of the
Norwegian Whalers' Base located at Price’s Inlet,
Rakiura/Stewart Island on Sunday evening 10 March 2013
at the Rakiura/Stewart Island Community Centre.

Canterbury
Quakes exhibition

The
touring ‘Canterbury Quakes’ exhibition is on at the
Otago Museum until 5 May 2013. Focusing on the physical
forces and human stories of courage and tenacity,
Canterbury Quakes first opened at Canterbury Museum. The
exhibition features former Christchurch iconic symbols
such as the Lyttelton timeball and the rose window from
the Christ Church Cathedral.

Butler’s
Farm stonework restoration weekend

A
weekend workshop to introduce the basics of Central
Otago stonework restoration is being held on the weekend
of 23 and 24 March. Based at Butler's
Farm (Category 1) at Fruitlands, near Alexandra, the
course is open to a maximum of 20 people. A course fee
of $150 applies. This event is organised by the newly
formed Historic Places Central Otago.

Agriculture,
history and incredible inventions from the Hawke’s
Bay, Tararua and Wairarapa regions are showcased in
all their cinematic glory this month, as the
New Zealand Film Archive and the NZHPT partner to
present a programme of films that spans the 20th
century. The films will be screened in five NZHPT
registered heritage woolsheds.

Local history will come to life again in the historic
woolsheds, through a selection of films from the Film
Archive vaults. The 75 minute programme pays tribute to
the rich and diverse heritage of the region,
encompassing farming history, shearing gangs, kiwi
inventions dating back to 1913, and some of the unique
rituals of country life.

Enjoy
inspiring theatre from iceberg-sized epic The Man
the Sea Saw, to the intimate and multi-sensory The
Man Who Planted Trees. Award-winning
instrumentalist Adam Page will take you on an
entertaining whirlwind of a day in Like It Or Loop
It, or be wowed by New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
and Capital E National Theatre for Children’s epic
collaboration Sky Dancer. With all this and
more, there has never been a better way to get your
family fix of theatre, music, dance, and circus from the
best of local and international talent. More details: www.capitale.org.nz.

Te Rau o te Rangi

Capital
E National Arts Festival for Children presents Taki Rua
Production’s, Te Rau o te Rangi at the Marae,
Te Papa. After a prophetic dream, Kahe swims from Kapiti
Island to the mainland, carrying her baby on a raft, to
warn her people of an imminent attack. Using Te Reo
Maori, some English translation and a blend of Maori and
physical theatre forms, three young performers from Taki
Rua deliver this tale of courage and self-belief on Te
Papa's iconic Marae, at the same time exploring the
parts of a Marae and the customs which govern them.
Thanks to the generosity of the people at Te Papa, this
performance is free to the public. Te Papa Marae,
Sat 16 March, 10.15am

Futuna
Chapel open day

Futuna
Chapel will be open to the public on Sunday 17 March
(1-4.30pm) with displays of original drawings,
presentations on recent restoration works and talks.
Talks will be given by well known NZ artist Michael
Smither, and artist and architect Ron Sang about the
role and impact of art in New Zealand architecture.
These talks will focus on art in architecture in New
Zealand and will explore the inter relationships of the
artist and their work and the architect and their work
in the integration of commissioned art works into public
building and spaces.

A
walk down memory lane

The
Wainuiomata Pioneer Church Preservation Society, in
conjunction with the Wainuiomata Little Theatre,
will present a selection of old time songs at the Coast
Road Church, on Friday 8 March at 7.30pm. The interior
of the Church has just been restored, and this is also a
chance to come and see how wonderful it now looks. Come
and join us for a nostalgic evening of song and
memories. Entry $10 – Supper is a gold coin donation.
Seats are limited, so please phone Joyce on (04) 546
8135, or Colleen on (04) 564 4023 to reserve.

Wanganui's
glass heritage tour

Saturday
16 March. Wanganui has a rich heritage of stained
glass as well as many talented glass makers. This guided
tour is an opportunity to explore some of the best the
city has to offer. Tour highlights will include St
Mary’s Catholic Church and the Wanganui District
Council Chambers.

Saturday
2 March. This fundraiser for the Bulls Museum
starts at 4pm and includes a tour of the house, live
music and a roving magician. Tickets are $25 per
person, available from the Bulls Museum, 81 High Street,
Bulls. For more information email bulls.museum@gmail.com.

Northern
Region

Te
Waimate Fete

Don’t
miss the Te Waimate Fete on 24 March (2pm- 6pm-ish)
featuring live music from Joanne Murray and her band,
plus local foods and wines.

Art
Deco Day at Highwic

Calling
all gadabouts, flappers, swells and spivs…

Highwic
will host its Art
Deco Day Out on 7 April (1-6pm), featuring live
jazz, spot prize, special exhibitions and vintage cars
recalling the golden days of the 1920s – the height of
the Art Deco movement. Refreshments will also be
available for sale on-site.

Jazz
artists performing on the day will include the
Leprechauns and the St Stephen’s College Jazz Band,
both of whom featured in last year’s Deco Day, and who
are back by popular demand.

Orchestral
piece for Alberton’s 150th

In
Concert at Alberton – an orchestral concert that
will include the premier of an original composition –
will take place at the Mt Albert mansion on March 10.

The original piece is entitled ‘Alberton Grandeur’
and will be performed by the Aotea Youth Symphony. The
composition was written by the orchestra’s music
director Paul Harrop to mark the 150th anniversary of
Alberton being built.

“It’s pretty rare for people to be able to enjoy the
premier of a new orchestral work – and even more so
when it’s tied in to a specific historic event like
Alberton’s 150th celebrations, so this is definitely a
must-enjoy for Auckland music lovers,” says the
Manager of Alberton, Rendell McIntosh.

“We’re thrilled that this piece will be performed
here by the Aotea Youth Symphony, which began in Mt
Albert in 1986, and which still has close links to the
area.”

The Symphony has toured Japan, the United States,
Germany, China and Australia, and funds raised at the
Alberton concert will go towards the orchestra’s trip
to Tahiti in April.
Admission: $20 per adult; children up to 15 free.
Refreshments available for purchase. Bookings essential
– paul@harrops.co.nz.

New
products in online store

Hard
yakka getting you down? No worries! She’ll be right,
simply jump on the NZHPT online shop and pick yourself
up a tin of goodness to soothe away any aches or pains,
quell irritating insect bites, and heal scrapes or
grazes.

Our revamped online shop has a new line of products from
Millstream Gardens who have mixed a blend of therapeutic
natural herbs and oils and packaged them into a
quintessentially kiwi-style tin.

Millstream Gardens are so neat they’ve even created a
product named after one of our beloved properties –
The Stone Store Orange & Rose Cold Cream. This
divine cream is a blast from the past with a sweet new
twist.

Dame
Anne Salmond named New Zealander of the Year

Former
Chairperson of the New Zealand Historic Places
Trust Board Dame Anne Salmond has been named New
Zealander of the Year.

The
University of Auckland Maori Studies professor
was awarded the title in Auckland last night for
her services in Maori and Pacific studies.

Dame
Anne was Chairperson of the NZHPT Board from
2001 to 2007.

The
award honours the achievements and contributions
of a New Zealander who has made a major
contribution to the nation, given outstanding
service to the country, and provided inspiration
to New Zealanders.

Now
Distinguished Professor in Maori Studies and
Anthropology at the University of Auckland, she
is the author of seven award-winning books and
many articles on Maori life and early contacts
between Europeans and islanders in Polynesia.
She is a Foreign Associate of the National
Academy of Sciences; a Corresponding Fellow of
the British Academy; a Fellow of the Royal
Society of New Zealand; and a Dame Commander of
the British Empire.

"Dame
Anne Salmond is an exceptional New Zealander who
is committed to understanding our cultural
heritage and to protecting our environment for
generations to come. She is a deserving
recipient and a passionate and articulate Kiwi
with a strong vision for our nation's
future."

Historic
lighthouse shines

The
Kaipara North Head Lighthouse – one of the few
remaining kauri lighthouses in the country –
has undergone some much-needed restoration work.

To
protect the timber exterior against the extreme
coastal conditions, contractors recently painted
the lighthouse using the most durable coating
system available. Repairs to damaged timber were
also carried out, and new stainless steel
flashings installed along with replacement door
and window hardware where needed.

Work
on the roof of the lighthouse was also carried
out, making it waterproof. Work on the
lighthouse, which is cared for by the NZHPT, was
carried out by local contractor Jim Rowlands
with his team of Adam Stevens, Peter Risbridge
and painter Leon Weber.

“The
completed work should provide the lighthouse
with many years of protection,” says NZHPT
Project Manager, Blair Hastings.

The
return of the Futuna Christ Figure

Absent
for 12 years, the recently recovered and
restored Christ figure will be returned to the
currently empty cross in Futuna Chapel in
Wellington, in time for the Open Day on Sunday
March 17 2013.

There
will be a public unveiling and blessing ceremony
of the reinstated figure at Futuna Chapel.

The
discovery in late August 2012 in rural North
Taranaki of a lost carving of the crucified
Jesus Christ, 12 years after it was stolen from
the Futuna Chapel in Wellington, was very
welcome news to the Friends of Futuna Charitable
Trust, the guardians of the statue’s original
home.

The
160cm tall figure of Christ was hand-carved from
mahogany by noted New Zealand sculptor Jim Allen
in 1961 for the crucifix that completed the
award-winning design of Futuna Chapel by
architect John Scott.

Recovering
the statue had been a goal of the Futuna Trust
since it was established in 2003 to celebrate,
restore and maintain the chapel, which is
regarded as one of New Zealand's modern
architectural masterpieces.

Although
the chapel is no longer a consecrated church,
the Christ figure was part of Scott’s original
architectural vision for the chapel, and its
recovery provides a sense of completeness in the
on-going restoration of the building. The Trust
has been encouraging the use of the chapel for
community events, so that its unique design and
spiritual qualities can be enjoyed and
appreciated as widely as possible.

Shonagh
Kenderdine, patron of the Futuna Trust and Chair
of the NZHPT Board, says, “The return of the
Christ figure to Futuna has great spiritual,
cultural and architectural significance for New
Zealanders. The figure is the mauri (life-force)
of the chapel. Te Hokinga Mai (the Returning)
began today with the figure’s road journey
from Taranaki to Wellington under the protection
of the New Zealand Police, who have been so
instrumental in its return.”

Jim
Allen, who designed and carved the statue in
1961, expressed his delight at its rediscovery.

“This
is a red-letter day for all of us and brings to
a close our endless speculation as to its
whereabouts. I look forward to its
re-installation and further confirmation of John
Scott’s vision for the Futuna Chapel.”

The
statue’s rediscovery came about through the
network of the trust, its trustees and patron
talking with people. In particular, thanks to
Kevin Dillon, a detective with the Wellington
Police, whose patient and dedicated work led to
the statue’s recovery.

Landmark
villa registered

The
heritage value of an early 20th Century
Devonport villa has been recognised by the
NZHPT.

The
listing identifies the
house at 14 Glen Road as being a place of
historic significance reflected in its Category
2 registration.

“As
early as 1974 the house was highlighted as being
one of 64 residences representing the character
and diversity of earlier Devonport at a time
when there was a growing awareness of
Devonport’s heritage and an increasing
movement towards the gentrification of
Auckland’s older suburbs,” says the
NZHPT’s Heritage Adviser Registration, Joan
McKenzie.

“The
house is an interesting example of a bay villa,
with corner turret, which perfectly illustrates
the diversity and versatility of the colonial
bay villa form.”

Built
in around 1901-2, the villa was home to New
Zealand artist and cartoonist Maurice Bramley
who spent his formative years there.

“Bramley
moved to Australia in the mid-1920s and became a
respected commercial artist and illustrator, and
in 1943 his poster ‘Join Us In A Victory
Job’ was published by the Department of
National Service during World War II,” says
Joan.

“The
poster was reproduced many years later as an
Australian postage stamp in 1991.”

A
meticulous draughtsman, Bramley excelled with
his pen portraits of prominent war
personalities, and later took over the
illustration of Horwitz Publication’s Phantom
Commando series shortly after the title began in
1959.

“At
about the same time, Bramley also illustrated
covers for the Australian editions of American
comics like the Avengers. Cover illustrations
produced from the early 1950s until the 1970s
for war, western and superhero comics are keenly
collected today.”

Bramley
died in Australia in 1975.

After
changing hands several times over the years, the
house was purchased by architect Jeremy Salmond
and anthropologist Dr Anne Salmond in 1974, with
work beginning soon afterwards.

By
his own account, the need to understand the
house, the dimensions of timber, proportions of
windows and doors, and the classical language of
mouldings substantially contributed to Jeremy
Salmond’s knowledge as a professional
architect.

The
Salmond family have lived in the house for
almost 40 years, and during this time Dame Anne
Salmond – a Distinguished Professor in Maori
Studies at the University of Auckland – has
written many of her published works, including Two
Worlds: First Meetings Between Maori and
Europeans 1642-1772.

“Through
their professional lives, writing and
representation on various bodies – including
the NZHPT – Jeremy and Anne Salmond have made
a major contribution to the understanding of New
Zealand’s cultural, historical and
architectural heritage,” says Joan.

“The
house at Glen Road has been a central part of
their lives, serving as both a family home and a
base for research.”

The
registration of the house at 14 Glen Road
formally recognises the house’s aesthetic
value, including the visual appeal of its
external design and generous garden setting; its
architectural significance, for illustrating the
diversity of the colonial bay villa form; and
cultural and historical significance for its
strong associations with both the Salmonds and
Maurice Bramley.

Photo:
The Glen Road villa (NZHPT)

Carved
headboard restored and blessed

The
recent blessing of an unusual headboard has
marked the end of conservation work on an
important piece of Northland’s carving
heritage.

The
wooden headboard, carved by Nutana Mapi of
Northland in 1900, has been restored and
repositioned in the cemetery of Waimate
North’s Church of St John the Baptist. The
distinctive 113-year-old headboard commemorates
Paea Kahuru who is buried there, and is a
distinctive feature of the cemetery.

Dean
Whiting, who has specialist expertise in
conservation of Maori taonga and buildings with
the NZHPT, has worked closely with kaumatua
Eddie Court and Anthony Collins of Rawhitiroa
Marae on the restoration of the headboard over
the four-year period.

“Conservation
work began on the headboard at the end of 2008,
and although the headboard has been in place for
some time now, it’s great to be able to
formally mark the completion of the project in
this way,” says Dean, who also acknowledged
Anthony’s part in the restoration work.

“It
was great working with Anthony, who has shown
real commitment and heart for this project. The
headboard is in good shape, and should be around
for another 100 years.”

Anthony
is a great grand-nephew of Mary Tahurangi who
first drew attention to the need to restore the
headboard back in the 1970s.

Little
is known about the carver, Nutana Mapi, though
he is believed to have lived between 1846 and
1904. A press report from the 1970s – quoting
a grand-nephew of Mapi’s – said he had no
formal training as a carver, but that the
memorials he left were the result of a natural
gift and an interest in carving. His work can be
found in different parts of Northland, and are
unique to Tai Tokerau.

The
style of the Te Waimate headboard is distinctive
in its use of a bud form – similar to a club
– finials, and foliage motifs, and includes a
small fence surrounding the grave site carved in
the same style as the headboard. Other
headboards carved by Mapi incorporate distinctly
Maori elements including eight-pointed stars,
crossed taiaha and tewhatewha.

Eighty-six
year old Paea Hau – the namesake of Paea
Kahuru – was present at the December blessing
of the restored headboard along with former
Chair of the NZHPT’s Northland Branch
Committee, Heather Ayrton, who has taken a close
interest in the Nutana Mapi headboards over the
years.

Heather
acknowledged the work of former committee member
Fen Barrett who publicly advocated for the
restoration of the Nutana Mapi headboards in the
1970s.

“We’ve
now had the opportunity to acknowledge the
cultural significance of Mapi’s work from a
Maori perspective – and in particular this
example of his work,” says Dean.

Photo:
L-R: Ngaroimata Beazley, Anthony Collins and
Hine Hau. Ngaroimata and Hine are both
grand-nieces of Mary Tahurangi who first drew
attention to the need to restore the headboard
almost 40 years ago (NZHPT)

Whaling
museum just gets better

The
Butler Point Whaling Museum near Mangonui in
Doubtless Bay was relaunched recently, with a
new addition to the existing museum building
formally opened by the Mayor of Far North
District Council, Wayne Brown.

The
official opening involved tangata whanua, and a
video link with Bill Tramposch – formerly head
of the NZHPT, and now the Executive Director of
the Nantucket Historical Association.

The
contribution of Butler Point Museum owner and
director, Dr Lindo Ferguson, was acknowledged
with a Fellowship Award from the Nantucket
Historical Association. Both Dr Ferguson and his
son William spoke at the ceremony.

“A
number of the speakers talked about the strong
historic linkages between Mangonui and America
in particular that were developed through the
whaling industry in the 19th Century,” says
the NZHPT’s Northland Manager Bill Edwards,
who attended the ceremony.

“Oceans
were not regarded as barriers, but rather as the
means by which people came together.

“The
new wing is an exciting addition to an already
great museum, and we wish Lindo and Laetitia
Ferguson well in this new endeavour.”

Hokianga
Treaty Celebrations

Locals
and honoured guests attended the commemoration
of the third and largest signing of the Treaty
of Waitangi which took place at Māngungu
Mission in the Hokianga on 12 February.

Mangungu
Mission – the house that was the heart of the
Wesleyan mission to the Hokianga, and which is
today cared for by the NZHPT – once again
provided the backdrop for this year’s
festivities.

Following
a powhiri and church service, a number of
kaumatua took the opportunity to talk about the
Treaty signing and its impact on Maori.

Other
highlights of the day included salutes from
three waka, including the 65-year-old waka
Ngatokimatawhaorua. Ngai Tu are the kaitiaki
(guardians) of this waka which is affectionately
known as ‘Little Ngatoki’, differentiating
it from its older and bigger brother at
Waitangi.

Children
from Te Kura o Horeke also presented a
re-enactment of the events behind the signing of
the Treaty at Mangungu.

The
day-long event marked the largest single Treaty
signing anywhere in New Zealand where at least
70 rangatira signed the Treaty, and between 2000
and 3000 Māori attended what became a giant
hui.

Guests
at the Treaty commemorations included MP David
Clendon – a descendant of James Reddy Clendon,
who is buried at the Mission cemetery – along
with kaumatua and kuia from the Hokianga area
and further afield who were also present in
force.

The
Māngungu Mission commemoration event was a
great success according to the NZHPT’s Mita
Harris who coordinated the event.

“We
couldn’t have had a better day for the event,
and we had tremendous support from local
people,” says Mita.

The
NZHPT worked with with the Māngungu
Commemoration Committee, Nga Uri Whakatupu o
Hokianga and haukainga (people of the local
marae) to organise the day.

Photo:
People at the recent Treaty commemoration event
at Mangungu Mission (NZHPT)

Savage
Cres State Housing interpretation kiosk opened

A
heritage project celebrating the state houses
built from 1938-1945 in Palmerston North's
Savage Cres was brought to fruition on 24
February with the opening of an interpretation
kiosk on the corner of Park Rd and Cook St.

The
project was initiated and managed by Don Irvine
and Margaret Tate of the former NZHPT Manawatu
Branch Committee, now Historic Places
Manawatu-Horowhenua, in partnership with the
Palmerston North City Council.

Speaking
to a gathering of over 50 people at the opening
of the kiosk, Historic Places
Manawatu-Horowhenua chairperson, Cindy Lilburn,
said the project was an exemplar for heritage
planning.

"Savage
Cres and its neighbouring streets are the best
preserved of 1930s state housing and set a
standard for heritage preservation."

Situated
in the suburb of West End in Palmerston North, Savage
Cres was planned by the first Labour
Government as its housing programme's flagship
model garden suburb. Construction began in 1937
and the main street, Savage Cres, was named in
honour of Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage (
1872-1940).

Its
intactness remains through its architectural
coherence and because it was developed as a
model state housing area. Savage Cres is a
listed historic area on the Palmerston North
City Council District Plan.

Palmerston
North City Mayor, Jonno Naylor said Savage Cres
was an important part of the city's history.

"So
many people have lived there, including two
recent former Labour Government Cabinet
Minister's Trevor de Cleene, and Steve
Maharey."

The
Mayor praised the housing area for its unique
features, its sense of belonging and
commonality. He said it was important to work
hard to preserve precinct areas such as Savage
Cres and the need for today's generation to
understand the reasons for its development and
for its preservation.

Photo:
Mayor Jonno Naylor (right) with Savage Cres
resident of 66 years, 97 year old Jack Shortt
(in wheelchair), who cut the ribbon to open
the interpretation kiosk (NZHPT)

Centenary
of Cook Monument celebrated

Around
90 people traced the journey of Captain James
Cook in his voyage through the Marlbourough
Sounds, before celebrating the centenary of the
James Cook Monument at Ships Cove last month.

Among
them was NZHPT heritage advisor Sonia Dolan and
members of the Marlborough Historical Society.

Robert
McNab, historian and Minister of Lands in the
Liberal government, was closely associated with
the development of the Ship Cove monument in
Queen Charlotte Sound. This is where Captain
James Cook spent most time in New Zealand
throughout his voyages.

An estimated crowd of 2000 attended the
monument's unveiling on 11 February 1913. It can
still be seen on the Queen Charlotte Walkway.
The reserve pre-dates the Scenery Preservation
Act and was established in 1896. The area
remains of continuing interest to historians and
anthropologists.

A plaque on the monument reads: 'To this Cove
Captain Cook made five visits while navigating
the globe. On this beach he erected tents for
his invalided sailors and from this stream he
watered his vessels'. Another lists his visits
on the Endeavour: 1770 and the Resolution: 1773
(twice), 1774 and 1777.

Photo:
Peter Cozens, a member of the Captain Cook
Society, places a wreath at the James Cook
Monument (NZHPT)

Training
DVD for Fletcher staff

Fletcher
Construction has worked with NZHPT staff on an
instructional DVD for its workers aimed at
increasing the level of understanding and
appreciation of archaeology – particularly in
areas of high archaeological sensitivity.

“Fletcher
Construction is often involved in projects of
national significance, which have the potential
to impact on archaeological features and
material,” says Tony Pike, Operations Manager
for Fletcher Construction.

“We’re
very pleased to have been part of this
initiative, which we believe will help achieve
good outcomes for archaeological heritage.”

Produced
by Two Feathers, the DVD forms part of the
company’s site induction tool kit and features
staff from Fletcher and the NZHPT’s Auckland
office, as well as archaeological site images
for training purposes.

“By
funding and producing this high-quality industry
training DVD, Fletcher Construction has made a
significant investment in up-skilling its
front-line staff, and has also demonstrated a
real appreciation for New Zealand’s
archaeological heritage,” says the NZHPT’s
Mid Northern Regional Archaeologist, Bev
Parslow.

“It’s
very important that staff who are most likely to
be at the front line of activity that has the
potential to damage archaeological features are
well informed about archaeology in general, and
the requirements of the Historic Places Act,”
she says.

“The
DVD acknowledges the importance of
archaeological sites and I’m sure will enhance
the archaeological authority process, and the
knowledge and interest of front line workers in
the construction industry.”

Fletcher
Construction plans to launch the tool kit DVD in
the next few months.

Photo:
Excavation at Albert Barracks, Auckland (Rod
Clough)

Otago
heritage plaques replaced

After
almost 40 years many of the blue plaques erected
by the former Otago Regional Committee of NZHPT
on significant heritage buildings across Otago
and Southland are at the end of their life.
Badly faded with text virtually unreadable, several
of the worst Dunedin area plaques have been
identified by the current Otago Branch Committee
for replacement before the committee
disestablishes later this year.

One
of the first to be replaced before June will be
the plaque located on the former St Andrews
Church in Carroll Street, Dunedin where in 1888
the Rev. Rutherford Waddell preached on “The
Sin of Cheapness” which spelled an end to
sweated labour.

The
building is now occupied by the Dunedin Coptic
Orthodox Church who are supportive of retaining
the historic link. The blue plaques are styled
on the Blue Plaques Scheme established by
English Heritage which sought to encourage the
preservation of houses of historical interest.
The first UK plaque was erected in 1867.

Photo:
The ‘unreadable’ blue plaque on the Coptic
Orthodox Church

New
interpretation at Williams House

An
exciting new visitor experience awaits people at
Williams House in Paihia.

A
series of interpretive signs located around the
public space tell the story of the house and
gardens, detailing different aspects of the
legacy of the Williams family who have had a
close connection to the property for over 150
years.

The
13 interpretive panels designed by Linda Leigh
of Visual Solutions explain the history of the
Williams family, the house as well as features
of the garden.

“The
panels incorporate coloured and black and white
images that provide a fascinating glimpse into
the vanished lifestyle and activities of the
family during a simpler time in Paihia’s
history,” says the Chair of the Friends of
Williams House, Paihia Library Inc, Annette
Roberts.

“The
signage was funded by the Southern Trust and was
installed in November last year, and we’ve had
overwhelmingly positive feedback from people who
say the history trail has added so much to their
enjoyment of the house and grounds.”

The
signs give insights into many of the historic
flora on-site, including fig and plum trees that
were planted in the mid-1800s and which still
bear an impressive crop every year.

The
signage also highlights other built heritage
features on-site including the Kissing Gate
commissioned by Henry Williams’ grandson Percy
Williams to keep his cattle and sheep out of his
house garden.

The
gate system – which is an accurate
reproduction of the original – gets its name
from the fact that the gate isn’t latched, but
rather ‘kisses’ against the posts which are
arranged in such a way as to prevent animals
from escaping, while allowing people to pass
through.

Williams
House was built by Percy Williams in the 1920s,
and currently operates as a public library with
its surrounding garden area providing a
delightful green space for visitors and locals.

The
Friends of Williams House, Paihia Library Inc
are a volunteer group who fund their activities
and projects through regular second hand book
sales held on-site in the historic shed on the
first and third Saturday of the month and on
cruise ship visits. Donations of books in good
order are always appreciated. To donate books
contact secretary Anne Corbett craicor@actrix.gen.nz.